Company overview
Freightliner Trucks is an American semi-truck manufacturer with roots dating back to 1929 as a division of Consolidated Freightways. Established in 1942, the company initially produced semitractors for internal use by Consolidated Freightways. From 1981 to 2021, it was owned by Daimler-Benz and later Daimler Truck. Today, Freightliner is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America, alongside Western Star, Detroit Diesel, and Thomas Built Buses. Freightliner produces a range of trucks including vans, medium-duty vehicles, and heavy-duty models. The company popularized cabover (COE) semitractors with the Argosy, and has a history of adapting designs to meet changing market needs. Production facilities are located in Portland, Oregon; Cleveland and Mount Holly, North Carolina; and Santiago Tianguistenco and Saltillo, Mexico. The company’s history includes a shift to independent manufacturing in 1974 following its relationship with White Motor Company. In the 1990s, Freightliner diversified through acquisitions including Oshkosh Custom Chassis and American LaFrance. The company’s evolution has been marked by changes in weight and length regulations, as well as the introduction of new models such as the Business Class and Coronado.
